Over the past thirty years, a relatively quiet revolution has been taking shape—initially as an academic concept, with slow early development that gradually gained momentum, and in the last five years has become a reality. This journey has brought us to the threshold of an unprecedented technological transformation—one that is not artificial intelligence (although it will influence and be influenced by it).
If the fourth industrial revolution was defined by the development of microchips and traditional computing—the kind we use every day—today scientists and technology leaders agree that quantum computing will mark the beginning of the fifth industrial revolution. This new era promises the ability to process data at astonishing speeds and will become a strategic ally that takes artificial intelligence to levels we can barely imagine today.
To understand its power, we must first understand how it differs from classical computing. While traditional computers operate by controlling the flow of electricity using a binary system of bits—which can only represent two values (0 or 1), processing information sequentially—quantum computing uses qubits.
The key difference lies in the fact that a qubit can represent 0, 1, or both states at the same time, based on a concept from quantum physics known as superposition (where an atomic spin can exist in multiple states simultaneously). This capability allows quantum computers to perform massive, parallel data processing, solving in seconds problems that would take current computers weeks or even years. In simple terms, it is like moving from reading a library book by book (traditional sequential computing) to being able to process all the information on the shelves at once. No matter how fast sequential reading is, it cannot compete with a system capable of reading all books simultaneously.
Boosting AI and efficiency
The concept of a fifth industrial revolution stems from the scope and expectations this technology generates for humanity—particularly for artificial intelligence. Quantum computing can solve complex calculations that classical AI cannot yet process, or that would take so long that the effort becomes impractical.
For example, in the financial sector—where “time is money”—quantum computing can redefine efficiency by reducing calculation processes from weeks to just seconds, enabling the prediction of market trends with a level of accuracy that current AI cannot achieve.
Google’s quantum chip Willow, one of the most advanced and introduced earlier this year, has a capacity of 105 qubits and was able, in a laboratory test, to perform in five minutes a calculation that would take a conventional supercomputer 10 septillion years.
Some concrete examples of how this technology is already changing (or will soon change) our reality:
- Healthcare and pharmaceuticals: this is perhaps the most revolutionary area. Currently, developing a drug takes more than a decade. Quantum computing enables simulation of molecular structures with atomic precision. This means designing drugs “in silico” (on a computer), knowing exactly how a protein will react before testing it on humans. The impact is massive: drug discovery could be reduced from 10 years to just months, enabling personalized medicine for rare diseases.
- Logistics and transportation: through optimized route simulations, this technology could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 60% and significantly lower fuel consumption. It also enables the creation of “holograms” of ships to maximize cargo capacity and distribution through advanced navigation algorithms.
- Automotive industry: it will play a key role in the future of electric vehicles, enabling the design of batteries with greater storage capacity and longer charge duration.
- Aerospace: this industry will also benefit significantly from advanced simulation capabilities, optimizing materials and flight trajectories.
The big challenge: digital security in the quantum era
Just as quantum computing opens the door to extraordinary advancements, it also represents one of the greatest challenges for modern cybersecurity. Many current encryption systems were designed under the assumption that certain mathematical problems would take thousands of years to solve with traditional computers. However, that assumption is now being questioned. A sufficiently advanced quantum computer could break these systems in a matter of hours or minutes, forcing the world to transition to new post-quantum cryptography standards. For this reason, both technology companies and governments are already working on developing security protocols prepared for the next computational era.
The global and local landscape
The quantum race is being led by powers such as the United States, China, India, and the United Kingdom. Companies like Google and IBM are investing over $400 million annually each. A recent milestone was IBM’s installation of Europe’s first quantum supercomputer in the Basque Country at the end of 2025, expected to reach full capacity by the end of 2026.
In Argentina, the ecosystem is just beginning to take shape. The National University of Hurlingham recently received its first quantum computer (with 3 qubits), primarily for educational and academic purposes, in collaboration with institutions such as CONICET and the National University of Quilmes.
At Baufest, our focus is on this exploratory phase. We are not aiming to develop hardware, but rather to prepare the quantum programmers of tomorrow. Programming these machines is fundamentally different from programming conventional computers, for which the world has over half a century of experience. Operating these new systems requires a deep understanding of atomic physics applied to computing, and our goal is to help ensure that Argentine talent is ready to lead when this technology reaches maturity in the medium and long term.
Quantum computing is still in an early stage, but its potential impact is comparable to the birth of the Internet or microprocessors. In this context, organizations that begin today to understand it, explore its applications, and train specialized talent will not only be better prepared—they will gain a real advantage in leading the next major wave of technological innovation.
By Marlon Leandro, Software Architect at Baufest.
